TOYOTA RAV4 PRIME 2023 Owners Manual

3035-1. Before driving
5
Driving
swaying of the towing vehicle-trailer
increases as speed increases.Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed
to be dinghy towed (with 4
wheels on the ground)
behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to
your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with 4
wheels on the ground.
■To prevent causing serious
damage to the transmission
and AWD system
Never tow this vehicle with any of
the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the
transmission and AWD system.

3045-2. Driving procedures
5-2.Driving procedures
1Check that the AC charging
cable is disconnected.
( P.121)
2 Pull the parking brake switch
to check that the parking
brake is set. ( P.314)
The parking brake indicator will
come on.
3Check that the shift lever is
set in P.
4 Firmly depress the brake
pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid sys-
tem cannot be started.
5 Press the power switch
shortly and firmly.
When operating the power switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It is
not necessary to press and hold the
switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started
from any power switch mode.
6
Check that the “READY” indi-
cator is illuminated.
The vehicle will not move when the
“READY” indicator is off.
■Power switch illumination
According to the situation, the
power switch illu mination operates
as follows.
●When driver’s door or front pas-
senger’s door is opened, the
power switch illu mination illumi-
nates.
●When the power switch is in OFF
and depressing t he brake pedal
with carrying the electronic key on
your person, the power switch illu-
mination blinks.
●When the power switch is in ACC
or ON, the power switch illumina-
tion illuminates.
●When the power switch mode is
changed from ACC or ON to OFF,
the power switch illumination illu-
minates for a certain amount of
time. Afterwards, the power switch
illumination turns off.
■If the hybrid system does not
start
●The immobilizer system may not
have been deactivated. ( P.70)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
●If a message related to start-up is
shown on the multi-information
Power (ignition)
switch
Performing the following
operations when carrying
the electronic key on your
person starts the hybrid
system or changes power
switch modes.
Starting the hybrid sys-
tem

3055-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
display, read the message and fol-
low the instructions.
■When the ambient temperature
is low, such as during winter
driving conditions
●When starting the hybrid system,
the flashing time of the “READY”
indicator may be long. Leave the
vehicle as it is until the “READY”
indicator is steady on, as steady
means the vehicle is able to move.
●When the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is extremely cold (below
approximately -22°F [-30°C])
under the influence of the outside
temperature, it may not be possi-
ble to start the hybrid system. In
this case, try to start the hybrid
system again after the tempera-
ture of the hybrid battery
increases due to the outside tem-
perature increase etc.
■Sounds and vibrations specific
to a Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle
 P.81
■If the 12-volt battery is dis-
charged
The hybrid system cannot be
started using the smart key system.
Refer to P.569 to r estart the hybrid
system.
■Electronic key battery depletion
 P.218
■Conditions affecting operation
 P.243
■Note for the entry function
 P.244
■If there is a mal function in the
smart key system
If “Smart Key System Malfunction”
is displayed on the multi-information
display, the system may be mal-
functioning. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does
not come on
In the event that the “READY” indi-
cator does not come on even after
performing the proper procedures
for starting the vehicle, contact your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■When “Check Fuel Cap” is dis-
played on the multi-information
display
 P.334
■If the hybrid system is malfunc-
tioning
 P.90
■Electronic key battery
 P.522
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly
and firmly, the power switch mode
may not change o r the hybrid sys-
tem may not start.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid
system immediately after turning
the power switch to OFF, the
hybrid system may not start in
some cases. Aft er turning the
power switch to OFF, please wait
a few seconds before restarting
the hybrid system.
■Customization
If the smart key system has been
deactivated in a customized setting,
refer to P.568.
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid sys-
tem
Always start the hybrid system
while sitting in the driver’s seat.
Do not depress t he accelerator
pedal while starting the hybrid
system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident
resulting in dea th or serious
injury.

3065-2. Driving procedures
1Stop the vehicle completely.
2 If the parking brake is in man-
ual mode, set the parking
brake. ( P.314)
Check the parking brake indicator
is illuminated.
3 Shift the shift lever to P.
Do not press the shift lever button
after shifting the shift lever to P.
4Press the power switch
shortly and firmly.
The hybrid system will stop, and the
meter display will be extinguished.
Release the shift lever when press-
ing the power switch.
5Release the brake pedal and
check that “ACCESSORY” or
“IGNITION ON” is not shown
on the multi-information dis-
play.
■Automatic hybrid system shut
off feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a
feature that automatically shuts off
the hybrid system when the shift
lever is in P with the hybrid system
operating for an extended period.
●The hybrid system will automati-
cally shut off after approximately 1
hour if it has been left operating
while the shift lever is in P.
●The message asking if you wish to
enable/disable t he automatic
hybrid syste m shut off feature will
sometimes be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Leaving the vehicle as is or select-
ing “Perform Auto Off” keeps the
automatic hybrid system shut off
feature enabled, or selecting
“Keep Vehicle On” disables the
automatic hybrid system shut off
feature.
●The timer for the automatic hybrid
system shut off feature will reset if
the brake pedal is depressed or if
the shift lever is in a position other
than P.
●After the vehicle is parked, if the
door is locked with the door lock
switch ( P.225) from the inside
or the mechanical key ( P.568)
from the outside , the automatic
hybrid syste m shut off feature will
be disabled. The timer for the
automatic hybrid system shut off
feature will be re-enabled if the
driver’s door is opened.
NOTICE
■When starting the hybrid sys-
tem
If the hybrid system becomes diffi-
cult to start, have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a mal-
function with the power
switch
If the power switch seems to be
operating somewhat differently
than usual, such as the switch
sticking slightly, there may be a
malfunction. Contact your Toyota
dealer immediately.
Stopping the hybrid sys-
tem

3075-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
Modes can be changed by
pressing the power switch with
the brake pedal released. (The
mode changes each time the
switch is pressed.)
WARNING
■Stopping the hybrid system
in an emergency
●If you want to stop the hybrid
system in an emergency while
driving the vehicle, press and
hold the power switch for more
than 2 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in suc-
cession. (P.535)
However, do not touch the
power switch while driving
except in an emergency. Turn-
ing the hybrid system off while
driving will not cause a loss of
steering or braking control.
However, power assist for the
steering wheel may be lost mak-
ing it difficult to steer smoothly
before stopping the vehicle
depending on the remaining
charge in the 12-volt battery or
usage conditions. In this situa-
tion, you should pull over and
stop the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so.
●If the power switch is operated
while the vehicle is running, a
warning message will be shown
on the multi-info rmation display
and a buzzer sounds.
●When restarting the hybrid sys-
tem after an emergency shut-
down, shift the shift lever to N
and press the power switch
shortly and firmly.
■When parking
Exhaust gases include harmful
carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless and odorless. Observe
the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause
exhaust gases to enter the vehicle
and may lead to an accident
caused by light-headedness, or
may lead to death or a serious
health hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly venti-
lated area or a closed area,
such as a garage, stop the
hybrid system.
●Do not leave the vehicle with
the hybrid system operating for
a long time. If such a situation
cannot be avoided, park the
vehicle in an open space and
ensure that exhaust fumes do
not enter the ve hicle interior.
●Do not leave the hybrid system
operating in an area with snow
build-up, or where it is snowing.
If snowbanks build up around
the vehicle while the hybrid sys-
tem is operating, exhaust gases
may collect and enter the vehi-
cle.
Changing power switch
modes

3085-2. Driving procedures
“ACCESSORY”
“IGNITION ON”
1 OFF
*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
2ACC
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-info rmation display.
3ON
All electrical com ponents can be
used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on
the multi-inform ation display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position
other than P or th e shift lever but-
ton is pressed when turning off
the hybrid system, the power
switch will remain ON, will not
turn to OFF.
■Auto power off function
●If the vehicle is left in ACC or ON
(the hybrid system is not operat-
ing) for more than 20 minutes with
the shift lever is in P or the shift
lever button is not pressed, the power switch will automatically
turn to OFF.
●If the 12-volt battery is low with the
shift lever is in P or the shift lever
button is not pressed, and the
power switch is in ACC or ON (the
hybrid system is n
ot operating), a
buzzer sounds and a message will
be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display. If this continues, the
power switch will automatically
turn to OFF.
However, this fun ction cannot
entirely prevent the 12-volt battery
discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the power switch in ACC or ON
for long periods of time when the
hybrid system is not operating.
If the hybrid system is stopped
with the shift lever in a position
other than P, the power switch
will not be turned to OFF. Per-
form the following procedure to
turn the switch to OFF:
1 Check that the parking brake
is set.
A
B
127,&(
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
●Do not leave the power switch
in ACC or ON for long periods of
time without the hybrid system
on.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION
ON” is displayed on the multi-
information display, the power
switch is not in OFF. Exit the
vehicle after turning the power
switch to OFF.
When stopping the hybrid
system with the shift lever
in a position other than P

3095-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
2Shift the shift lever to P.
3 Check that “IGNITION ON” is
displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display and press the
power switch shortly and
firmly.
4 Check that “ACCESSORY”
or “IGNITION ON” on the
multi-information display is
off.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and
reduce noise, shift the shift lever
to D for normal driving.
*2: Vehicles with paddle shift switches only: Selecting shift
ranges in the D position allows
suitable use of engine braking.
( P.311)
*3: By selecting shift ranges using S
mode, you can control accelerat-
ing force and engine braking
force.
■When driving with dynamic
radar cruise control with full-
speed range activated
Even when perform ing the following
actions with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will
not activate because dynamic radar
cruise control with full-speed range
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
Do not stop the hybrid system
with the shift lever in a position
other P or the shift lever button
pressed. If the hy brid system is
stopped with the sh ift lever in a
position other than P or the shift
lever button pressed, the power
switch will not be turned to OFF
but instead remain ON. If the
vehicle is left in ON, 12-volt bat-
tery dischar ge may occur.
Hybrid transmission
Select the shift position
depending on your purpose
and situation.
Shift position purpose
and functions
Shift
positionObjective or function
P
Parking the vehi-
cle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1, 2
SS mode driving*3

3105-2. Driving procedures
will not be canceled.
●While driving in S mode, down-
shifting to 5 or 4. (P.312)
●When switching the driving mode
to sport mode while driving in D
position. ( P.404)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-
Start Control)
 P.289
While the power switch
is in ON and the brake pedal
depressed
*, shift the shift lever
while pushing the shift release
button on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever while
pushing the shift release button
on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever nor-
mally.
When shifting the shift lever
between P and D, make sure that
the vehicle is completely stopped
and the brake pedal is depressed.
*: For the vehicle to be able to be shifted from P, the brake pedal
must be depressed before the
shift release button is pushed. If
WARNING
■When driving on slippery
road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and
sudden acceleration, as this could
result in the vehicle skidding to
the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid
battery (traction battery) will not
be charging, even when the
engine is running. Therefore, if
the vehicle is left with the shift
lever in N for a long period of
time, the hybrid battery (traction
battery) will discharge, and this
may result in the vehicle not being
able to start.
Shifting the shift lever

3115-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
the shift release button is pushed
first, the shift lock will not be
released.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to
prevent accidental operation of the
shift lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P
only when the pow er switch is in
ON, the brake pedal is depressed
and the shift release button is
pushed.
■If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal
is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted
even though the brake pedal is
depressed and the shift release but-
ton is pushed, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock system. Have
the vehicle insp ected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as
an emergency measure to ensure
that the shift lev er can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1 Pull the parking brake switch to
check that the parking brake is
set. ( P.314)
2 Turn the power switch off.
3 Depress the brake pedal.
4 Pry the cover up with a flathead
screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover,
cover the tip of the screwdriver
with a rag.
5 Press and hold the shift lock
override button and then push
the button on the shift knob. The shift lever can be shifted
while both buttons
are pressed.
P.404
To drive using temporary shift
range selection, operate the “-”
paddle shift switch. The shift
range can then be selected by
operating the “-” and “+” paddle
shift switches. Changing the
shift range allows restriction of
the highest gear, preventing
WARNING
■To prevent an accident when
releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock
override button, m ake sure to set
the parking brake and depress the
brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed instead of the
brake pedal when the shift lock
override button is pressed and the
shift lever is shifted out of P, the
vehicle may suddenly start, possi-
bly leading to an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving
mode
Selecting shift ranges in
the D position (vehicles
with paddle shift
switches)

3125-2. Driving procedures
upshifting and enabling the level
of engine braking force to be
selected.
1Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to
D6, will be display ed on the multi-
information display.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 6 levels of
accelerating force and engine
braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide
greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher
shift range, and t he engine revolu-
tions will also increase.
■Downshifting restriction warn-
ing buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving
performance, downshifting opera-
tion may sometimes b e restricted. In
some circumstances, downshifting
may not be possible even when the
paddle shift switch is operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
■Automatic deactivation of shift
range selection in the D posi-
tion
Shift range select ion in the D posi-
tion will be deactiv ated in the follow-
ing situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain
period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to a
position other than D
●W h en th e “+ ” p ad dle sh ift sw itch is
held down for a period of time
When the shift lever is in the S
position, the shift lever or paddle
shift switches (if equipped) can
be operated as follows:
1
Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to
S6, will be display ed on the multi-
information display.
The initial shift range in S mode
is set automatically to S4.
*
*: It is set to S3 when the driving mode is set to sport mode.
( P.404)
Changing shift ranges in
S mode